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Student Agency: A way forward

Through agency, students can gain a deeper understanding of the world around them and develop skills they can use in their future lives.When it comes to unlocking new opportunities in education, student agency is an invaluable tool. By engaging with students as active agents of their own learning, teachers can create powerful learning experiences that help to open up doors for students.

In this article, we’ll explore how student agency can unlock new opportunities in education and how teachers can create real-world connections for their students.

What Is Student Agency?
Student agency is the belief that students should be actively-engaged in their own learning and have direct influence on the design of their education. It is the idea that students can shape their education by making decisions about their learning experiences, developing the skills and strategies to work through challenges, and having ownership over their successes and failures. This approach to teaching transforms the role of educators from “sage on the stage” to “guide on the side”—recontextualizing teaching from a passive activity to an active experience between teacher and student.

When implemented effectively, student agency allows learners to take ownership of their educational journeys. Doing so encourages them to think critically, take risks, communicate effectively, persevere in problem solving, collaborate well with others, demonstrate responsibility, and become lifelong learners. As well as empowering them with skills that are essential for future job markets and enabling them to become active citizens in a global society.

Understanding the Differences Between Agency and Autonomy
Student Agency is about more than just giving students autonomy. Rather, it is about creating a learning environment that fosters opportunities for exploration and discovery. Agency puts the focus on developing student skills, attributes and knowledge rather than simply acquiring it from a teacher.

To understand the differences between Agency and Autonomy, consider the following two points:

• Agency focuses on helping students reach individual goals through their own efforts, while Autonomy involves allowing students to make decisions and take actions independently.
• Agency gives students the freedom to choose their own paths in order to reach their goals, while Autonomy is primarily about allowing students to make choices without guidance or direction from teachers or administrators.

By promoting Student Agency in the classroom, teachers can help create an environment where students are empowered to explore their unique interests and develop skills that will allow them to have greater control over their future academic success.

Why Promote Student Agency in Elementary Students?
AT TPAS and ISM, we encourage student agency to open up a world of possibilities for our students. Here are just a few of the advantages that come from promoting student agency:

• Improved Engagement and Motivation: By allowing students to take ownership of their learning, it increases their engagement and motivation. When students feel a sense of control over their education, they become more invested in the process, leading to greater understanding, retention and exploration.
• Increased Problem-Solving Skills: Through student agency, they learn how to solve problems independently. This sets them up for success both inside and outside the classroom by giving them the confidence to think through challenges and come out with solutions.
• A Deeper Connection With Material: Students who practice student agency have a deeper connection with their learning material. By actively participating in their education rather than passively receiving instruction, they are more likely to comprehend difficult concepts as well as retain information longer-term.

Positive Parent-Teacher Partnerships for Promoting Student Agency
Providing students with a greater sense of agency is not only beneficial to the student, but also creates positive outcomes for teachers, parents and the school as a whole. The most successful approach to promoting student agency involves all stakeholders working together to create an environment that encourages autonomy, collaboration and critical thinking.

Here are some ways TPAS and ISM foster positive parent-teacher partnerships when advocating for student agency:

1. Regular meetings are scheduled with parents to discuss concerns and successes related to the student's progress.
2. We encourage open dialog between teachers, students and parents in order to build trust and understanding of the objectives of student agency.
3. By establishing school-wide policies, TPAS and ISM promote autonomy, communication and collaboration while respecting parental boundaries.
4. The schools provide resources to help parents understand how their involvement can be beneficial in creating an environment that supports their child's growth in self-regulation and self-determination.
5. Teachers design classroom activities that give students opportunities to make decisions about their own learning, tapping into their own experiences and interests to drive meaningful engagement in the classroom setting.

Through these collaborative efforts between teachers, students, and parents, everyone can benefit from the value of introducing student agency into the learning process.

Increasing Student Voice in the Classroom
At TPAS and ISM, students have more of a say in the classroom because it is crucial for their development and helps create a more engaging learning experience for everyone. Student agency allows students to explore their interests and use their knowledge and provides teachers with insights into how their students think and what topics they find engaging.

Being active participants in the classroom will increase student confidence and allow them to develop critical thinking skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. It will also help them become better learners who can ask questions and make informed decisions.

Student agency is not just about giving voice to individual students but also providing opportunities for groups of students to work together on projects or assignments. Group work has been shown to improve communication between peers and overall collaboration - essential skills employers increasingly seek.

Teachers can unlock new opportunities for student growth and development by allowing students more control over how they learn. This can result in a richer learning experience for everyone involved!

Tools to Help Educate Parents About Student Agency
When it comes to fostering student agency, education starts at home. In order for students to gain the skills they need to become successful self-advocates, their parents must be willing and able to support them in their journey. 

Fortunately, at TPAS and ISM, we use a variety of tools that can help parents understand the concept of student agency and how they can help empower their children:

1. Professional Parental Consultations: A professional educational consultant helps explain the concepts of student agency and provides guidance on how parents can best support their children.
2. Classroom Materials: We offer materials specifically designed to educate parents about student agency and how it relates to school and learning. These materials range from detailed lesson plans to informative brochures.
3. Online Resources:  The schools provide online resources such as blogs, social media accounts, websites, and online forums for information about student agency and advice on fostering it in their children.
4. Workshops or Lectures: We have hosted workshops on student agency that are open to the public, giving parents an opportunity to learn more about the topic in an informal setting.

By providing these tools, TPAS and ISM give parents the knowledge they need to actively support students' development of self-advocacy skills.

Conclusion
Student agency is essential for students as they progress through their learning journey, and it can be unlocked with a combination of elements. By engaging in meaningful tasks and experiences, providing active and constructive feedback, leveraging technology, and enabling students' curiosity and interests, teachers can equip students to be self-directed learners. Furthermore, the promotion of student agency not only goes beyond the walls of classrooms but is also dependent on the support of parents and guardians. By helping them become aware of the importance of giving students the autonomy to authentically pursue their interests, parents can become key enablers of unlocking new opportunities for their children.

Saira Bano
Founder/International Education Consultant
PYP Coordinator TPAS

Tell it like it is

When we say "tell it like it is," we mean speaking the truth directly and without hesitation, even if it may be uncomfortable or unpleasant. This is a concept that can be challenging for many people, especially in situations where emotions run high. However, it is crucial to understand that avoiding difficult conversations or sugar-coating the truth can have long-term negative consequences. Sometimes, tip-toeing around sensitive issues may create misunderstandings between individuals and even lead to resentment over time.

The truth can undoubtedly be painful at times, and we may feel like we are doing others a favor by avoiding it. Nonetheless, this is far from the case. Even if uncomfortable in that moment, addressing issues head-on allows growth and progress much quicker. Only once you've acknowledged that something isn't right can you start working towards improving things.

As educators, we are responsible for teaching our students the value of honesty and integrity. We can start by encouraging open and honest communication in our classrooms. This means creating an environment where students feel safe to express their thoughts and opinions without fear of judgment or ridicule. Promoting active listening skills in the classrooms can teach them how to empathise with others' perspectives.

Ultimately, honesty is the key to building healthy and positive relationships. By teaching our students the skills necessary to have difficult conversations constructively, we can set them up for success in all aspects of their lives. To promote a truthful society, adults must lead by example. This means being true to oneself and demonstrating integrity in all aspects of life. If we avoid telling even small lies or betraying someone's trust, those around us will begin to see us as honest individuals with high standards of morality.

Also important is promoting empathy and tolerance towards differing opinions among others. It's crucial that we not only express ourselves honestly but also learn how to approach situations with understanding when dealing with different perspectives from our own.

In conclusion, "tell it like it is" may be an uncomfortable practice at times; however, it ultimately leads to individual and societal progress. As educators, we can teach our students how this principle applies in the classroom and beyond - equipping them with tools for successful communication while fostering understanding across various cultures and backgrounds. We must strive for honesty in interactions moving forward if we want genuinely authentic experiences where everyone involved feels understood without any pretenses or false facades present - which could breed mistrust. 

Bridging Communities: The Power of Collaboration

The Peace Attitude School is committed to providing a global education and empowering its students to become globally aware and critically thoughtful citizens. Through initiatives like international school collaborations, storytelling, and video conferencing, The Peace Attitude School has been able to create an international learning environment for its students where meaningful conversations, greater understanding, and deeper appreciation can take place. 

One of the most impactful collaborations that the school has developed is a partnership with International School Maximilian, Skopje, North Macedonia. Through this partnership, students from both schools have been able to video conference, share their experiences, and learn from each other. This bridge between two schools located in vastly different parts of the world has enabled meaningful conversations and greater understanding.

In 2021, TPAS and ISM joined forces to offer their students the chance to bridge communities across the globe. Through collaborative activities and events, students had the opportunity to explore different cultures and ideas. With the help of technology, international students were able to communicate with each other in a safe space, exchanging stories, opinions, and ideas.

Read this article to know how international school collaboration can help enhance global understanding among students of all ages. We will also share some tips on creating your own interactive global learning experience.

The Need for Global Citizenship
Our students must be ready to interact with people from different cultural backgrounds, an integral part of global citizenship. By engaging in conversations and interacting with students from International School Maximilian, TPAS plans to provide unique opportunities to their students.

Through this collaboration, students will learn and understand what it means to be a global citizen. They will gain insight into different cultures, develop new perspectives, and even learn about different beliefs, customs and traditions. This will help them foster an appreciation for diversity and build mutual respect among people from all walks of life.

Moreover, by forming relationships with others in this way, our students can begin to identify with others despite cultural differences, promote global understanding and create a more harmonious world. This collaboration presents an invaluable opportunity for our students to practice what it means to be a global citizen while gaining key skills in communication and collaboration across cultural beliefs and customs.

TPAS & ISM’s Collaboration
In the intertwined nature of the globalized world, TPAS wanted to create a platform to foster sustained collaboration and trust between the two communities. To do so, we partnered with International School Maximilian to provide our students with a fantastic opportunity to engage in conversations and interact with students of different backgrounds.

Together we organized some activities that let our respective student bodies get acquainted. Each school hosted meetings and online seminars where students discussed topics ranging from environmental science to digital literacy compellingly and engagingly. We also planned contests and challenges, including identifying cultural differences through cinema and writing essays on various world issues.

Most notably, the two schools set up bi-annual virtual exchange programs, where students connect to discuss various topics in real time over video chat. Through these interactive sessions, our students can gain insight into the lives and experiences of those living across oceans, continents, and cultures by simply conversing with each other. 

These initiatives highlight the vitality of connecting communities from diverse backgrounds to foster an understanding between them. Through these activities, our students gained invaluable insights into different cultures and perspectives, making them globally aware citizens and leaders for tomorrow.

Engaging Students in Intercultural Interaction
By partnering with ISM, TPAS opened up a whole new world of opportunities for its students to engage in intercultural exchange. Through this collaboration, TPAS and ISM exchanged student videos and blog posts, letting them interact with each other to gain insight into their worlds.

The two schools also plan to organize joint events, like a simulated United Nations conference where students from both schools can discuss global projects such as ending extreme poverty or hunger. Through discussions like these, students will  learn about different cultural norms and values. In addition, TPAS will host an International Day at its campus where ISM students will virtually participate in activities to learn more about the cultures of their peers.

Benefits of International School Collaboration
By working with ISM, TPAS is providing their students with incredible opportunities to engage with one another. This collaboration has long-term benefits for everyone involved.Here are some of the main benefits of international school collaborations:

1. Intercultural understanding: Working with another school provides students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge about an unknown world, break down stereotypes, and develop a broader understanding of the world.
2. Increase in knowledge and skills: By collaborating on projects or attending events (virtually), students learn valuable skills such as communication, teamwork, self-management, thinking skills, problem-solving and organization.
3. Shared resources: Schools can share resources such as books, technology and knowledge that they might otherwise not have access to.
4. Stronger academic performance: Collaboration provides an opportunity for teachers to compare different approaches to teaching and learning which can lead to improved student performance overall.
5. Sense of pride and ownership: Working together on projects gives students a sense of ownership over their work, as well as a greater pride in achieving successful outcomes together that benefit the wider community.

How to Foster Global Citizenship at Home
Fostering global citizenship at home can start with simple practices like exchanging cultural stories, discovering recipes, or writing letters. But no matter what you do—the important thing is to open up conversations and create an engaged learning environment.TPAS and ISM understand the great potential for growth in intercultural understanding, which is why they decided to collaborate. This collaboration seeks to provide students with opportunities to explore other cultures through a variety of experiences. Some of the significant ways TPAS and ISM plan to bridge communities include:

• Exchange programs: TPAS and ISM are planning exchange programs that involve online visits from students from each school. This will allow them to learn about one another.
• Joint projects: Students from both schools will work together on joint projects in the areas of science, art, music, language, or sports.
• International field trips: Students visit each other’s countries virtually as part of their education experiences.
• Joint activities and events: Such as hosting celebrations or participating in international competitions that showcase their combined talents.
• Intercultural dialog workshops: To help students engage in critical conversations around cultural differences and similarities, share insights into different societies, and develop greater understanding of global perspectives.

TPAS & ISM’s Future Global Projects
TPAS and ISM are committed to continuing their global efforts by engaging in meaningful projects that will leave a lasting positive impact on our students and communities.Some of these projects include:

Collaborative Curriculum Development
Working together, TPAS and ISM are developing a shared curriculum that encourages thinking outside the box and tries to bridge the gaps between students while inspiring innovative ideas. The curriculum focuses on research-based learning, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving that can be adapted internationally. 

Global Video Conferences
TPAS and ISM are planning on conducting video conferences to enable the students to interact with each other, no matter what language or country they come from. With these global conferences, we hope to foster greater understanding of different aspects of human race while encouraging collaboration in the development of cutting-edge solutions for meaningful global issues. 

Conclusion
Bridging communities together can be done through international school collaboration. Through these collaborations, TPAS and ISM students have had the opportunity to take part in conversations, interact with peers from completely different worlds and become a part of a global community. By promoting intercultural understanding and international mindedness, we can work together to create a more harmonious world. By taking part in these programs, students have developed important knowledge and skills, such as global citizenship and caring for individuals, which can be used to help build a better future. 

Saira Bano
Founder/International Education Consultant
PYP Coordinator TPAS 

Unlock the Magic of Bedtime Stories: A Time Well-Spent

Cherishing quality time with our children is more important today than ever before. In a fast-paced
world, it’s easy to get so caught up in our own lives that we overlook the importance of making time for
our children. Reading stories together is one of the best ways to nurture a strong bond, explore new
ideas, and share values and experiences with them. It’s an opportunity to truly listen to their ideas and
aspirations, foster their creativity and imagination, and build a sense of comfort and security. Bedtime
stories can be a beautiful way to spend precious moments together and create lasting memories.
Bedtime stories should be a cornerstone of any child's upbringing. Not only do they provide a way to
engage in imaginative exploration and help children drift off to sleep, but they also open up a world of
make-believe. From enchanting fairy tales to humorous animal characters, mystical forests, and thrilling
adventures, bedtime stories help to bring children’s imaginations to life.
Apart from making magical moments and life-long memories, bedtime stories also have proven benefits.
Studies show that bedtime stories reduce stress in children, improve their literacy skills, and strengthen
the bond between parents and children.
Snuggling up with your children for a story is a cherished memory your children will always look back on
fondly. By sitting close to your child, you create a space of comfort and safety that encourages them to
relax and take in the sound of your voice. Bedtime stories are of great significance as they aid children in
appreciating different perspectives, enhancing communication, and developing problem-solving and
empathy.
Parents can make stories more enjoyable and interactive for their children by allowing them to choose
the story and helping to bring the characters to life. With different voices for each character and
questions to check their understanding, your child will be more engaged in the story and appreciate the
quality time you are spending together. If I could turn back time, I would savour each and every moment
of these stories. From reading favourite books to creating original stories, make storytelling a part of
your nightly routine and build a library of stories that your child can cherish. I hope this blog post has
provided you with insight into the importance of bedtime stories and how to make them an integral part
of your child's daily routine. Take the time to make storytelling a part of your nightly routine and create a
library of stories that your child can cherish for years to come!
Saira Bano
Founder/International Education Consultant